Review by Terri Clement
Art by Holly Sierra
Written by Toney
Brooks
Published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
ISBN-13:
978-1-57281-689-3
ISBN-10: 1-57281-689-9
Retail U.S.
$20
Released 2014
Definitely
not the same old thing in a new package! Here you will find a band of
whimsical fantasy beings and mythological characters that are set to
carry you off to the otherworld of the Chrysalis Tarot.
This
deck has beautifully detailed mystical images. You will find
archetypes from many cultures including Celtic, Egyptian, Greek,
Pagan, Voodoo, and more. The overall feel is lighthearted and
fairytale like.
The packaging is the standard tuck box with a 60 page little white book.
The cards measure 2 3/4” wide x 4 3/4” tall. The images are printed on a flexible card stock. The deck itself feels thick, those with smaller hands might need to adjust their shuffle style. There is a very light lamination. The deck fans brilliantly.
The card
faces have an 1/8” border on the top, and sides. The bottom border
is 3/4” and contains a banner with the card name. The card backs
are reversible friendly an have mandala styled art in the center with
2 beautiful butterflies.
Most of the Major Arcana have been renamed but have both names on the bottom of the card.
The suits are titled Stones (Earth), Mirrors (Water), Spirals (Fire), and Scrolls (Air). You will notice a slight theme color scheme change in the art for each suit.
The
Troupe (Courts) are subtitled Page, Knight, Queen, and King, however
each member of the Troupe are also all are designed to represent real
life people from the past, present, or future.
King of
Stones Queen of Stones Knight of Stones Page of Stones
The
Minstrel The Artiste The Illusionist The Acrobat
King of
Mirrors Queen of Mirrors Knight of Mirrors Page of Mirrors
The
Sojourner The Watcher The Dreamer The Healer
King of
Spirals Queen of Spirals Knight of Spirals Page of Spirals
The
Companion The Muse The Corsair The Mime
King of
Scrolls Queen of Scrolls Knight of Scrolls Page of Scrolls
The
Poet The Weaver The Visionary The Pilgrim
Justice
is numbered VIII and Strength XI.
One of the first cards that pulls me in is Storyteller (IX The Hermit. Here is a woman wearing a winged headdress, with a crown of ferns, she is holding a glowing ball of light. There is a pair of orioles that symbolize her shapeshifting abilities.
If she
appears in your reading it's time to reflect, mediate, and seek
quiet.
The Golden Flower (XIV
Temperance)is a stunning mandala with a sunflower in the center that
is surrounded by leaves, butterflies and multicolored fish. There are
matching oranate jars in the upper right and lower left corners.
The
little white book says that the Golden Flower means you are drawing
nearer to conscious awareness.
The Muse (Queen of Spirals) shows a woman in a flowing medieval style gown, there is a fawn standing behind her. This tells us that she shares the gentle qualities of the deer. She inspires the courage that you need to make difficult choices.
The little white book contains a brief
introduction to Tarot, then jumps right into the cards. For each card
you will find the new name, the traditional name and attributes,
along with a little bit about the symbolism and a short meaning. In
the back you will find a five-card pentagram spread.
Overall,
I am loving this deck and it will probably become one of my “go to”
decks. I highly recommend it. It can be used by those just beginning
all the way through the professional. I am anxiously awaiting the
companion book that is coming out soon.